Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Also-ran steals show from 2 major players
By Jung Min-ho
Lee Jung-hee, candidate of the minor leftist Unified Progressive Party, looks toward the ruling Saenuri Party's Park Geun=hye, unseen in this photo, during one of their sharp exchanges in Tuesday night's televised presidential debate. / Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
The Unified Progressive Party’s (UPP) presidential candidate Lee Jung-hee went on the offensive from the get-go, concentrating her attacks on Park Geun-hye and leaving Moon Jae-in out of the limelight in Tuesday’s three-way televised debate.
In the first of three such meetings, the well-prepared Lee bombarded the ruling Saenuri Party candidate with criticism, saying Park and her surrogates were at the center of political corruption and lies.
“Unlike the ruling Saenuri Party claim that they will regulate major supermarkets that kill small businesses, the party opposed passing such a law at the National Assembly,” Lee said. “Sometimes, enacting proper laws and regulations are seen as not important as people in power often dodge them anyway.”
When the topic was changed from “political reform” to “national security concerning North Korea,” the conservative candidate tried to shift the atmosphere by counterattacking Lee who said South Korea deserved the most blame for the North’s attack on Yeonpyeong Island in 2010. However, the former human rights lawyer didn’t let Park take the lead by highlighting “the worst ever relationship with the North” under the incumbent president Lee Myung-bak leadership.
“Lee Myung-bak administration hasn’t made any improvement in terms of relations with the North exchanging attacks during his five-year term, let alone stabilize peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said.
She didn’t appear to be interested in attacking Moon, who didn’t have to stand up to Park thanks to Lee’s active moves, exchanging questions and answers with the Democratic United Party (DUP) candidate without raising her voice.
After the event, many experts said the minor opposition party candidate stood out at the debate, showing who she is and what she is capable of, noting Park needs to be more prepared for the next ones.
Despite this performance, it remains to be seen whether it will change the dynamics of the two leading candidates’ campaigns and her own. Lee has had less than a 1 percent support rating.
A day before the TV debate, the minor opposition contender made it clear that Park would be her main target but also said her part in the debate would also not to favor Moon. Nonetheless, her strong performance against Park is expected to help Moon’s poll numbers as it exposed possible ineptitude in Park’s policies and communication skills.
Concerns were raised that Lee’s presence might hurt Moon as it could make the DUP candidate vulnerable to any ideological counterattack from Park if she referred to them together as a pro-North Korean leftist force. However, Park failed to capitalize on the opportunity as Lee set the tone of the debate with sharp questions against her.
The first debate covered four major topics – Political reform, eradicating power-related corruption, foreign affairs and national security. Two more debates will be held on Dec. 10 and 16 to cover issues such as the economy and low birthrate.